The Phillies put the Astros to bed with an offensive explosion. Last night, the focus was probably moreso on some pitching prospects on the farm. Phillies #4 prospect, Jesse Biddle made his return to the mound yesterday for Clearwater after a nearly 1 1/2 month hiatus.
Biddle was out of commission with a concussion after getting hit in the head during a dangerous hail storm in May. Once he returned, his pitching went downhill. He stated to the media that he felt miserable on the mound, that he just wasn't happy and didn't know why. He gave up 24 earned runs in five starts following his return, which led to his "mental break". If last night's return was any sign of his mental break paying off, then we may be in for something special.
Last night with Clearwater, Biddle was unhittable…literally. He tossed five no-hit innings in the Threshers 4-0 win over the Daytona Cubs. The 22-year-old southpaw struck out five and walked only one, throwing 64 pitches, 45 for strikes.
Just because Biddle took a month off from the game doesn't mean his mind wasn't on baseball. He worked with Phillies staff in Clearwater to try and regain his form and is ready to start every five days. (via MiLB.com)
"I was really focused on where I want to be, having a concussion and going to rehab for that," Biddle said. "Then, also, just reconnecting with the game of baseball. I was making it more complicated than it needed to be. I need to keep it simple. That's the biggest thing, finding myself again on the mound. So far, so good."
Biddle said there's no set plan for where he'll throw going forward.
"I know I want the ball in five days. That's all I care about," he said. "I don't care where they put me. I don't care who's in the box. I want the ball and I want to see what I can do with it."
While last night was a good step in the process of returning to form, Biddle knows that he has to develop consistency before he starts getting ahead of himself. With the minor league season winding down, he plans to make every outing count. (via MiLB.com)
"I feel like a different person when I'm pitching," he said. "I'm one start in, so obviously, it's easy to feel that way right now. It's about being consistent. There's not a whole lot of season left for us Minor Leaguers, but I really want to make the most of it. Every start and every pitch counts."
Lino Martinez took over for Biddle after his five innings and carried the no-no into the eighth until it was broken up by a Billy McKinney single.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
